Thinking of buying? Read this first and then decide.

[Rodalli]

I'm going to catch some flak for this, I know it, but I feel like this needs to be said for the people who may be thinking about purchasing this. Just so we're clear, this is coming from the viewpoint of someone who studied visual art. I was a sculptor and studied 2D and 3D design. Also dabbled in some video game design and 3D modeling. Anyway, here we go.

What you see in the videos on the Steam store page is *precisely* what you get. Cool visuals and cool scenery, but that's it. It's quite beautiful. This is really cool for the first 5-10 minutes, as there is a strong sense of awe and wonder at all of the strangeness of the world you're dumped in...but after that you're probably going to get bored. It doesn't last.

You can't interact with the world in any way. The most you can do is approach objects and creatures and have them either a) make noise, b) run away from you and make noise or c) chase you and make noise (flies, for example, will do this).

There are some cool little things here and there, but this is not what I would consider a "game". There's no objective except to get to "the end". To play through this is going to take you all of 30 - 45 minutes. This *is* what I would consider "art". It provokes immersion, exploration, it engages. Those are all things that art and games have in common. But it doesn't have the qualities that a game has. There's no clear objectives. There are no mechanics. The bit of structure and flow that exists is very loose and it is difficult for most players to perceive it is even there at all. You have to be very observant to realize what's going on. Like a lot of art, there are very few people that are going to be able to enjoy this with repeated viewings/plays. Not many people end up loving a painting so much that they have to own it, they want in their home, want to see it every day, etc. The same is true for this title. Not many people are going to play this again after the first run. I'd reckon many won't even make it through the first run. There are games that are both "games" and "art". Bastion comes to mind, as does Braid. You can play, mess with game mechanics, experiment, discover new things, have an impact on your environment, and at the same time be moved and influenced by the story, the art, the music and the entire experience. This is not one of those titles, sadly.

To me, this title is a good example of something I wish I would have thought of when I was in art school. A different way to use computers and games to engage an audience and share an experience. However, it's *not* a game. I feel like this has to be stressed. I don't feel like this is worth the $8.99/$9.99 they're asking for. There's not a lot of replay value unless you're among that small subset of people that just really get off on this art/music style and want to veg out. May be awesome if you're a stoner, too, I'm not sure. In my opinion, not for the average gamer, though...a lot of people on Steam are going to feel ripped at this price point. I'd feel better about it if it were in the $2.99 - $4.99 price range.

Just my 5 cents. I'm not here to have an argument, so please don't try to start one. I hope this was helpful to anyone who's on the fence about this.

[Råb!d]

I got bored within the first 30 seconds. I can't stand the computer generated imagery. The audio is fine, if you like crappy synthesizer music.

[Sparafucil]

The OP has a narrow conception of both art and games. Regardless of whether he deems this a game (and it is), if he cannot derive more than 10 minutes of aesthetic pleasure from Proteus then he is sorely lacking in critical and artistic faculties. Full stop.

Proteus is a short game. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth $9.99. On the contrary, to the discerning gamer, it's worth a great deal more. Its value lies in the scope of its breathtaking beauty and originality.

It's not for everyone, so the OP is correct about that. But for those of us who long for more from their games, Proteus is a tantalyzingly unforgettable experience.

[NOMA]

The best weird game was Thirty flights of loving. It got a good grade on critics, but I cannot understand it. Totally weird game.

[timmonsisold66]

Is there a purpose to this game?What do you do in the game?If the OP answered these questions then why would i want to buy a game that does nothing as OP stated?

And btw art is in the eye of the beholder not a forced perspective given on a gaming forum.Same thing applies to games.

[AstrobotJones]

Seems to me, if you want to discover and experience an interesting world... go outside and explore an interesting REAL world.

[Galaxy Swift]

Ursprungligen skrivet av timmonsisold66:

Is there a purpose to this game?What do you do in the game?If the OP answered these questions then why would i want to buy a game that does nothing as OP stated?

There is much more to Proteus than there seems to be. It's an exploration game. There are lots of secrets to find. There is an ending, but you probably won't find evrything on your first playthrough. There is no true 'goal' in the game. The gameplay consists of you walking around and having the world interact with you. The controlls consist of WASD for movement, Mouse for looking arround, and shift (if I remember correctly) to sit down. There is on interact button, nothing to shoot or anything like that. Despite that, the world feels alive; sounds and music change as you move closer and farther away from objects, creatures react to you in different ways. The game is very relaxing a surreal. Proteus is not a game for everyone. Unlike games like, say, Call of Duty that try to appeal to as wide an audiance as possible, Proteus will only appeal to a specific group. If you are the type who likes 'artsy' and experimental games, then you would probably enjoy this.

[PizzaWizard]

Just the review I needed. It looks like an interesting space to inhabit but if there is no game aspect, no real interaction, then its not for me, or at least not what I want to spend my 5 bucks on at this time. I'll defiinitely spend that money if the Oculus Rift works out though.

Games need an obstacle to overcome to achieve an objective. Games aren't simple input/output, if thats the case then I'm playing a game as a type this. Proteus looks more like a toy than a game.

[WarPigeon]

Ursprungligen skrivet av 13thGeneral:

Seems to me, if you want to discover and experience an interesting world... go outside and explore an interesting REAL world.

Couldn't the same be said of most games?

Ursprungligen skrivet av PizzaWizard:

Just the review I needed. It looks like an interesting space to inhabit but if there is no game aspect, no real interaction, then its not for me, or at least not what I want to spend my 5 bucks on at this time. I'll defiinitely spend that money if the Oculus Rift works out though.

Games need an obstacle to overcome to achieve an objective. Games aren't simple input/output, if thats the case then I'm playing a game as a type this. Proteus looks more like a toy than a game.

There is a slight challenge to seeing everything there is to see in Proteus, particularly in the later areas where the weather changes can make it more difficult to find your way.

It's only a minor challenge of course, but those people claiming that Proteus isn't a game really aren't looking at the whole picture (oftentimes they don't even actually own the game).

[AstrobotJones]

Ursprungligen skrivet av WarPigeon:

Couldn't the same be said of most games?

Nope, not really. You're over simplifying.
Most games have multiple aspects to them that are not repeatable in the real world; super abilities, power-ups, fantastical creatures, kill/reward systems, competition, a procedure or strategy for gaining an end.

I'm not saying it's not something people can of should enjoy, however, it really isn't a "Computer Game" in definition. It's more of a virtual intereactive experience, like you'd see in one of those educational centers. I think it seems more akin to listening to music with a slideshow, or going on a virtual safari, or touring a 360 online museum, than any real similarity to a computer game in the definitive sense of the term. Other than the fact it's digital software with a fantasy realm with "an environment and creatures" that react to your presence, there's not much else to it. A game is typically something that allows you to not just interact and to affect the aspects of the environment, it should have goals and tangible rewards, and is typically in a competition format. That's generally the definition of a game. Even Minecraft - in all it's complacent time wasting glory - actually has combat and a goal.

[WarPigeon]

Ursprungligen skrivet av 13thGeneral:

Ursprungligen skrivet av WarPigeon:

Couldn't the same be said of most games?

Nope, not really. You're over simplifying.
Most games have multiple aspects to them that are not repeatable in the real world; super abilities, power-ups, fantastical creatures, kill/reward systems, competition, a procedure or strategy for gaining an end.

I'm not saying it's not something people can of should enjoy, however, it really isn't a "Computer Game" in definition. It's more of a virtual intereactive experience, like you'd see in one of those educational centers. I think it seems more akin to listening to music with a slideshow, or going on a virtual safari, or touring a 360 online museum, than any real similarity to a computer game in the definitive sense of the term. Other than the fact it's digital software with a fantasy realm with "an environment and creatures" that react to your presence, there's not much else to it. A game is typically something that allows you to not just interact and to affect the aspects of the environment, it should have goals and tangible rewards, and is typically in a competition format. That's generally the definition of a game. Even Minecraft - in all it's complacent time wasting glory - actually has combat and a goal.

Have you even played the game? Based on your post and the lack of a mouse icon next to your name it doesn't seem likely.

There are goals to the game. There are things in the game that you can interact with to help achieve those goals. There are things preventing you from reaching those goals. That pretty much covers everything you outlined above. By your own definition Proteus is a game.

Honestly, anyone who compares this game to one of those virtual museum tours either hasn't played the game or is just here for the trololololol.

[Elm]

Well, I think this game is good, but not 'great'. Largely I think it needs some expanding - especially on the music front - since it's pretty much the draw of the game. There were some places in the game that felt genuinely spooky, but the music didn't really match up or trigger that emotion well. I also found quite a few glitched chickens vibrating on the spot. :p
Still, the game is good for what it is.

[MellowPavoGames]

I'd say that I've gotten my money's worth out of Proteus. (shrug)
Certainly more enjoyment than I got out of War for Cybertron: haven't gotten that one to load up ONCE since I bought it. :V
Oh well, that's why we ought to research things before we buy 'em...

[Necrolyte]

Take acid, enjoy game.

[Doctor Mobius]

Found so far: a log cabin, a particularly massive tree, sneaky wolf face peering out from side of tree, skyscraper-esque starscape which turns into a man running away from you leaving a dust trail, time-altering star swirls which jump between seasons, owls nesting in trees, flies, bees, scared rabbits, standing stones, ring of totem poles, trumpeting flowers, ruined black turrets.

Is there anything I've not seen or can I just delete ths now?

[Galaxy Swift]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Neal:

Found so far: a log cabin, a particularly massive tree, sneaky wolf face peering out from side of tree, skyscraper-esque starscape which turns into a man running away from you leaving a dust trail, time-altering star swirls which jump between seasons, owls nesting in trees, flies, bees, scared rabbits, standing stones, ring of totem poles, trumpeting flowers, ruined black turrets.

Is there anything I've not seen or can I just delete ths now?

There's an ending. I'm not sure if there's much else besides maybe those tall structures that teleport you across the island.